At RON DIDONNA REAL ESTATE & APPRAISALS We’re Celebrating 40 Years of Serving the Capital District’s Tech Valley Area AND the Move to our NEW OFFICES! Come Join us at our Ribbon Cutting & Open House Tuesday, January 29th – 4:30-7:00 PM LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.   01/25/2013

I still remember the first call... It was a bright early fall day and a new lead had into our company's website. He actually included his # when he registered on the site and it was "my turn" to get the lead.  It was a young man who already owned a 2 family home and was looking to add more. After all, nows the time to get a deal, right?  ;)  He assured me that he was all set with the $$ and would not be turned off by anything that needed work. That was October 2010.  We looked at some homes... starting in the <$75k range.  He quickly learned what $$ would and would not buy... and which communities it would and wouldn't buy it in. And along the way his vision for being a landlord took a bit more focus. We narrowed the search criteria and even bumped the price point some. Fast forward to ... 07/18/2012

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued. 10. Call a professional If you can't find the moisture problem on your own, or you aren't sure how to correct a problem you do find, call a home inspector or indoor air quality consultant. Look for credentials from a respected industry organization, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors or the Indoor Air Quality Association. A house call will likely run $250 or more. Mold remediation isn't necessarily covered by home owners insurance, which typically pays only if the problem results from a sudden emergency covered in your policy, such as a burst pipe. Insurance usually doesn't pay if the problem results from deferred maintenance or floodwaters (unless you have flood insurance).   By: Karin Beuerlein  03/21/2011

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued.. 7. Look for standing water If the air conditioner isn't the issue, search for standing water or chronic dampness that is increasing indoor humidity and providing a lovely environment for mold. Check for puddles or dampness around hot water tanks, sump pumps, freezers, refrigerators, basement doors, and windows. Inspect crawl spaces for ground water dampness or foundation leaks  8. Cover crawl space Ground water seeping into crawl spaces can add gallons of moisture vapor into your house every day. The simplest defense is to cover crawl space floors with a plastic vapor barrier-6 mil polyethylene (landscapers plastic)-that traps moisture in the ground.If you crawl in your crawl space, use a heavier plastic that won't rip as e... 03/21/2011

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued.. 4. Properly size your AC unit Make sure your air conditioning unit is properly sized for your house. If it's too small, the unit will run constantly, elevating costs but not the temperature; too big, and the unit will constantly start and stop, which wastes energy, too.Install an HVAC unit that is just right. For guidance, call an HVAC professional, or consult Energy Star's square footage/AC capacity chart.   5. Monitor humidity An indoor humidity monitor will help you keep track of moisture levels that, ideally, fall between 35% and 50% relative humidity; in very humid climates, at the height of summer, you may have to live with readings closer to 55%. But if you reach 60% relative humidity, it's time to look for the sour... 03/21/2011

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home. Fixing mold damage is an expensive and time-consuming home repair. But you can save time and money by implementing these 10 ounces of prevention. Setting your thermostat at about 78 degrees F provides the optimal temperature for preventing moisture problems. Image: Tetra Images/Getty Image Home owners have good reason to shudder when hearing, "You've got mold!" Mold can wreck your health and finances: An extensive mold remediation can reach five figures. Mold spores are always present indoors, particularly in humid areas. You can minimize mold growth, however, by buying a humidity monitor, which helps you keep track of home moisture that lets these spores colonize. Here are 10 more ways to control and combat mold in your home. 1. Elimi... 03/21/2011

Green Window Cleaning Makes Glass Pane-fully Clear Window cleaning with non-toxic ingredients and reusable cloths protects your health, preserves resources, gains a streak-free view, and stretches your budget. Use microfiber cloths to clean your windows--they're inexpensive, lint-free, and can be washed and reused again and again. Image: Garry Wade/Taxi/Getty Images Window cleaning is easy, and you can do it without using up and throwing away a forest of paper towels or spraying on commercial windows cleaners that contain toxic compounds. Instead, try window cleaning with environmentally safe products available through a mainstream retailer. Better still, make your own non-toxic window cleaning solution and polish your panes to a sparkling shine with a reusable cloth. Mix a green window... 03/21/2011

Low-Cost Kitchen Storage: Cheap Stress Reduction.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Low-cost kitchen storage strategies bring calm to your kitchen, banishing stress-inducing clutter and leaving the space calm and orderly.   Good news for budget-minded cleaning compulsives: Getting organized in the kitchen won't drain your piggy bank. Stash more cash and control the chaos with these low-cost kitchen storage solutions, all readily available at home centers, discount stores, and online. Rack attack: Store pots, everyday dishes, spices, and wine on racks that are freestanding, wall-hung, and ceiling-hung-and voila! Everything is in its own location, visible, and easily accessible!Position the racks where they make se... 12/30/2010

Laminate Kitchen Countertops: Perfect Fakes; Low Cost.    Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Replacement laminate kitchen countertops offer durability and big style at a relatively low cost, and are worthy contenders for your kitchen retrofit dollars. Once a favorite during the 1960s and 70s, laminate kitchen countertops are enjoying new popularity as an affordable, durable, moisture-proof, and surprisingly attractive replacement for your home's worn kitchen countertops. Shop around and you'll discover a nearly unlimited selection of richly colored solids, dazzling patterns, and enticing-to-touch textures. Laminates are cagey too: Check out the options that mimic rusted metal and earthy stone slabs and see if you c... 12/30/2010

7 Signs You May Have a Drainage Problem.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Finding and addressing drainage problems when they're smaller and easier to fix can save you thousands of dollars and plenty of headaches down the line. Grade the soil and remove plants to keep water from damaging your foundation. Additional home improvement videos can be found at DannyLipford.com. You don't need to be a house inspector to know that puddles in the basement or a lake on the front lawn are signs of drainage trouble. But not all drainage problems are so obvious. Some can be hard to spot unless you know what to look for. Here's how the pros read seven of the more subtle signs of potential water damage, and why you'll save big ... 12/29/2010

Develop a Landscape Plan to Fit Your Budget.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. The success of any landscaping project depends on having a plan and sticking to it. Use tracing paper to plan out a landscaping project. Additional home improvement videos can be found at DannyLipford.com. Landscaping is one of the surest ways to pump up the value of your property. According to research by Virginia Cooperative Extension, going from a plain lawn and a concrete driveway to a well-landscaped lot raises a home's perceived value by 12.7%. The opposite is also true: A "minimal" landscaping job-a thoughtless smattering of scraggly plants-actually detracts from home value. How much should you invest in upgrading your landscape... 12/29/2010

Must-Have Landscape Tools.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. In the world of landscape tools, these are the basics you must have to improve and maintain your property. Make sure you know what you're doing before revving up a chainsaw--it takes practice to wield one properly. Image: Stihl The world of landscaping tools is vast-you could fill your garage with types of hoes alone. But you'll have to invest money and space in basic landscaping tools to maintain and improve your property. Here are 10 must-haves. Round point shovel: Arguably the most versatile landscape tool, this shovel has a rounded and beveled steel blade that ends in a point. It digs, scoops, and slices dirt, manure, and gravel. Cost: $20 to $30.Ra... 12/29/2010

Must-Have Painting Tools.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Sooner or later you're going to paint something; you might as well have the correct tools. Here are the tools that should be in your painting toolbox. It's wise to invest in a good paint roller set. This one from Purdy is designed to last 20 years. Image: Purdy Professional Paint Tools Chances are you'll never swap out a toilet yourself; but sooner or later you're going to paint, stain, or plastic-coat something. Here are the painting tools you'll need in your home maintenance toolbox. A brush with painting tools Paintbrushes are like shoes-you've got 50 pairs, but you always wear the same two. The go-to paintbrushes are a 3-inch flat brush for cutting i... 12/29/2010

Must-Have Plumbing Tools.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Stock these plumbing tools in your toolbox to fix sinks, toilets, and other plumbing problems. Adjustable pipe wrenches have two jaws--one that's fixed and one that adjusts with the turn of a thumb screw. Plumbing tools are a godsend when a sink clogs or toilet overflows on weekends, holidays, or just before dinner guests arrive. For big problems, like a burst pipe, shut off your water (know where your shutoff valve is) and call a plumber. But you can fix everyday annoyances if you add these basic plumbing tools to your fix-it arsenal. Plungers: No home should be without these suckers/pushers whose rubber cups form a seal around the drain or toilet. Use ... 12/29/2010

Adding Wall Insulation Has Lengthy Payback Period.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction. Adding wall insulation will lower heating and cooling costs by as much as $130 per year, but the payback can be lengthy. When adding insulation, a contractor will drill a small hole in the wall and blow cellulose or some other loose-fill material between studs. Image: John Nordell/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images Many older homes have too little wall insulation, insulation that's settled over time, or no insulation at all. If that's the case for your home, you're wasting valuable heating and cooling energy. By adding wall insulation, you can save up to $300 per year in heating and cooling costs. However, your payback pe... 12/27/2010

Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent wasting home heating and cooling energy that costs you money. An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks. The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows and doors. To stop air leaks and prevent your home heating and cooling dollars from vanishing in the wind, it's important to seal any air leaks around windows and doors. Check for air leaks With windows and doors closed, hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripp... 12/26/2010

What Stinks?! HouseLogic's Guide to Eradicating Winter House Smells.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. Published: December 20, 2010 Figure out what's causing that smell-or stop it before it starts.   The windows are closed, the heater is fired up-and then there's a stench you just can't get rid of. It's difficult to air out your home during the winter. And what's worse, your heating system and fireplace can cause all sorts of new unpleasant odors, too. To keep your abode smelling fresh and clean until spring, we made a handy manual to pinpoint your stink and stop it in its tracks. Smell: Lingering food odors Culprit: Fried food, burnt food, spicy food, fishSolution: Your cooking might smell delightful the day of ... 12/26/2010

Improve the Infrastructure of Your Community.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc a Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY. New community infrastructure dolls up your neighborhood while potentially goosing up home values. Follow these four tips to get upgrades that boost your neighborhood's curb appeal. The first step in getting a sidewalk or other infrastructure in your neighborhood is to talk to local officials. Image: Royalty-Free/Corbis/Jupiterimages.  Improve the Infrastructure of Your Community.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc a Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY. A well-lit, easily walkable neig... 12/02/2010

Turning Off the Incandescent Light Bulb.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties Clifton Park NY, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc Burnt Hills NY. As the U.S. phases out incandescent light bulbs, we look back at the light of our lives, and look forward to new generations of CFLs and LEDs. A 13-watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb, and puts out a fraction of the heat. Image: GE Reveal® CFLs Turning Off the Incandescent Light Bulb.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties Clifton Park NY, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc Burnt Hills NY. When the U.S. turns the lights out on incandescent bulbs in 2014, we'll say goodbye to Edison's classic, which is still the symbol of a bright idea. T... 12/01/2010

Spread Condo or HOA News Quickly with Online Tools.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc.  Keep your condo/HOA neighbors in the know with a listserv or online group, but watch out for the downsides. Spread Condo or HOA News Quickly with Online Tools.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc. You'll probably need a monitor to ensure comments stay within the rules if you choose to set up a website or a listserv for your community. Image: Klaus Tiedge/Blend Images/Getty Images Well-informed condominium and homeowners association members are likely to make smart decisions about their homes and communities. That builds value for all. Yet staying knowledge... 11/29/2010